Zarmina Khan
Flood disaster has been repeatedly affecting Pakistan for many years, so there is a need to investigate the deep-rooted causes of this disaster. Pakistan has taken several initiatives to address climate change issues, including the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) and the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project. It indicates a political willingness to address climate change issues in Pakistan, but the gap in policy implementation remains a significant obstacle to effective management. Climate change adaptation practices are not well integrated into the urban planning framework. One of the main factors behind the repeated flooding in Pakistan is that some policies remain reactive and event-driven, rather than preventive and risk-based. Even though after the update of the National Climate Change Policy in 2021, many provincial and local authorities still face challenges related to capacity, organization, and training, which is creating hurdles to the effective implementation of flood risk assessments, principally in integrating these assessments into zoning and land-use regulations. As a result, infrastructure damage and mass displacement continue to occur often in many flood-prone areas of Pakistan. The funding for the implementation of climate-adaptive strategies and the fragmentation across agencies are crucial aspects to understand and address the flooding disaster. Therefore, there is a need to institutionalize coordination between the climate, planning, and finance departments for better governance outcomes.
The lack of coordination between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) poses considerable challenges to effective governance. In different regions of Pakistan, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas, local governments lack adequate training, essential equipment, and sufficient financial resources to respond to disaster management challenges effectively. For example, a deadly flash flood swept away nearly 18 to 19 people in late June 2025 in Swat, after a sudden surge in the Swat River due to heavy rainfall. Rescue 1122 and the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities struggled to carry out timely rescue operations due to a lack of resources, inadequate staffing, and limited training. The unexpected surge of the flash flood hindered their ability to reach all affected areas in time.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued directives to the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to establish a flood cell to monitor and manage the flood disaster. Moreover, PDMA also issued alerts to the local administration in Nowshera, Peshawar, and Charsadda to make essential preparations for the possible risk of flooding, which is triggered by rising water levels in Swat River. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both directed the NDMA to coordinate well with the provincial agencies to ensure the timely rescue operations and delivery of essential relief services to the people.
Lack of public awareness, people ignoring official warnings, and delays in early warnings by the authorities are also responsible for the loss of lives due to the flood disaster.
Pakistan has taken many productive steps to build effective flood control infrastructure such as dams, levees, and drainage systems. Urban resilience strategies are gradually being integrated into city planning, with pilot green infrastructure projects, especially in cities like Lahore and Karachi. In Punjab, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a plan for the development of the sewage and water drainage system, especially for the immediate drainage of torrential rainwater, and the paving of streets will be done under the Punjab Development Programme in many big cities of Punjab. Disposal stations will be built, and sewage bypasses will be established to improve the sewage system. Moreover, water storage banks will also be established for the immediate drainage of rainwater.
However, essential infrastructure across the country remains highly vulnerable whenever a disaster occurs. Panwal small dam embankment was breached due to heavy rainfall in Chakwal on July 17, 2025, and a flash flood spread to nearby areas, sweeping vehicles away and damaging roads. Moreover, electricity failures happened as high- and low-voltage poles collapsed, and many feeders failed in Chakwal. Adhwal Bridge also collapsed, affecting the villages of Chak Malook, Adhwal, and Chakral, and hindering the delivery of emergency services. Dherabi Dam also breached due to heavy rainfall, flooding nearby rural areas and destroying roads and bridges. Rural areas lack protective embankments, while urban areas suffer from clogged, outdated, or inadequate drainage systems that cannot handle current rainfall intensities. Moreover, an intense urban flood struck Lahore due to heavy rainfall of 136 mm to 178 mm on July 17, 2025. Areas like Nishtar Town, Paniwala Talab, Johar Town, Gulberg, and many other low-lying neighborhoods were inundated in floodwater, disrupting traffic, business, and daily life. Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) faced difficulties in draining floodwater due to heavy rainfall.
The Punjab government issued emergency orders for rapid drainage and continuous on-ground monitoring. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Jhelum also experienced flash floods after heavy rainfall ranging from approximately 132–185 mm, 196–235 mm, and 200–427 mm, respectively. The floods damaged infrastructure, and many areas in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Jhelum were swamped by water. The Pakistan Army and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority have coordinated rescue operations, evacuated people, and provided emergency relief assistance. Many people barely managed to save themselves, but their houses and infrastructure were severely damaged and swept away by the floodwaters. When municipal authorities neglect these issues, clogged drainage systems worsen the situation, especially during the heavy rainfall season. Moreover, corruption, poor maintenance, and low-quality construction further contribute to the destruction.
During the rainy season, many people suffer due to the worsened drainage system in Balochistan. Poor infrastructure, an outdated drainage system, the negligence of authorities, and insufficient funding collectively exacerbate the disastrous impacts of flooding across all provinces of Pakistan. There is a need to enforce land-use laws and remove encroachments. Adequate investment in climate-resilient infrastructure upgrades is also necessary. Moreover, establishing public-private partnerships for maintenance and financing would be a productive step toward improving flood disaster management in Pakistan.
Without any doubt, heavy rainfall is a consequence of climate change, and flooding is a natural disaster that is hard to fully control. However, the role of governance is still crucial; timely planning, resilient infrastructure, and effective response can reduce infrastructure damage and minimize the loss of lives because human lives are precious and every citizen has the right to live a safe and secure life. The government protects its citizens, especially during disasters. In such situations, the cooperation of the people is essential; they must follow the instructions of government authorities properly. Additionally, effective coordination between the PDMA and NDMA is crucial for a timely and efficient response.
